Conquering the Illuminate in Helldivers 2: Optimal Loadouts and Strategies
The Illuminate, with their advanced technology and overwhelming numbers, pose a significant challenge in Helldivers 2. Success hinges on strategic loadouts that exploit their weaknesses. This guide details three effective loadouts to tackle this formidable foe.
Key to Victory: Effective loadouts must balance crowd control (chaff) and heavy unit elimination. Neglecting either will prove fatal.
Loadout 1: The Laser Cannon – Melting the Illuminate
- Primary: PLAS-1 Scorcher / PLAS-101 Purifier (Exceptional against Overseers and Voteless; Siege-Ready passive ensures ample ammo)
- Secondary: GP-31 Grenade Pistol
- Grenade: G-13 Incendiary Impact (Effective chaff clearing)
- Armor Passive: Siege-Ready
- Stratagems:
- LAS-98 Laser Cannon (Support): Melts Overseers and Harvesters; excellent range.
- AX/AR-23 "Guard Dog": Effective against medium-armored Overseers.
- Eagle Strafing Run: Quickly disables warp ship shields.
- A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / Orbital Laser: Area denial/heavy unit counter (Orbital Laser crucial on higher difficulties with multiple Harvesters).
Strategy: Use Strafing Run to strip warp ship shields, then grenade their open bays. The Laser Cannon excels at long-range target elimination, particularly Harvesters (target legs/eyes).
Loadout 2: The Lightning Loadout – Shocking and Staggering
- Primary: ARC-12 Blitzer
- Secondary: GP-31 Grenade Pistol
- Grenade: G-13 Incendiary Impact
- Armor Passive: Electrical Conduit / Med-Kit
- Stratagems:
- ARC-3 Arc Thrower (Support): Chains lightning, stunning Overseers; effective against Harvesters (multiple hits required).
- Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser: Heavy unit counter (Railcannon for unshielded targets).
- Eagle Strafing Run: For warp ship shield depletion.
- A/ARC-3 Tesla Tower: Excellent crowd control, especially against flying Overseers.
Strategy: The Arc Thrower and Tesla Tower provide powerful area denial and stunning capabilities. Prioritize stunning priority targets with the Arc Thrower. Use Strafing Run and Grenade Pistol for warp ships.
Loadout 3: The Machine Gun Loadout – Shredding the Illuminate
- Primary: StA-52 Assault Rifle (High sustained fire; good for light armor penetration)
- Secondary: GP-31 Grenade Pistol / CQC-19 Stun Lance
- Grenade: G-13 Incendiary Impact
- Armor Passive: Peak Physique / Engineering Kit (Peak Physique improves mobility for targeting flying units)
- Stratagems:
- MG-43 Machine Gun (Support): Versatile; shreds light and medium units, effective against Harvesters.
- LIFT-850 Jump Pack: Improves mobility, especially during reloads.
- Orbital Railcannon Strike / Orbital Laser: Heavy unit counter.
- A/MG-43 Machine Gun Sentry / A/G-16 Gatling Sentry: Area denial/objective defense.
Strategy: The MG-43's high rate of fire efficiently depletes shields, negating the need for Strafing Runs on warp ships. Use Jump Pack for repositioning during reloads. Prioritize Harvester weak points.
These loadouts offer diverse strategies for combating the Illuminate. Remember to adapt your approach based on the specific challenges presented in each mission. Teamwork and coordination are crucial for success against this powerful enemy.
